HomePod HomePod Linked to IPhone 5s - iOS 13?

[JHermz]

My HomePod is currently linked to a spare iPhone 5s that is signed into a dummy iCloud account so that I can use features like reminders, etc. without having my messages accessible to everyone in the house. Plus, the phone never leaves the house so those features always work. So far no problem updating HomePod as iOS 12 works on iPhone 5s.

My question is - does the linked device have to be running the latest version of iOS for the HomePod to be able to update to its latest version? In other words, will I be able to continue using the iPhone 5s as the linked device and still update the HomePod later this year to its version of iOS 13, even if the iPhone itself cannot run iOS 13? I've read a lot of stuff and this is still not clear to me.

 

[Chrisandy]

My HomePod is currently linked to a spare iPhone 5s that is signed into a dummy iCloud account so that I can use features like reminders, etc. without having my messages accessible to everyone in the house. Plus, the phone never leaves the house so those features always work. So far no problem updating HomePod as iOS 12 works on iPhone 5s.

My question is - does the linked device have to be running the latest version of iOS for the HomePod to be able to update to its latest version? In other words, will I be able to continue using the iPhone 5s as the linked device and still update the HomePod later this year to its version of iOS 13, even if the iPhone itself cannot run iOS 13? I've read a lot of stuff and this is still not clear to me.

There is no AudioOS public/developer beta. The only way to update HomePod software is when it's fully released to the public.

 

[JHermz]

There is no AudioOS public/developer beta. The only way to update HomePod software is when it's fully released to the public.

Thanks but that wasn't what I was asking. What I want to know is when the new version of AudioOS is available in September, will the device that I used to set up my HomePod need to be running iOS 13? I'm guessing the answer is "yes," but have never seen that clearly stated.

 

[Solver]

My HomePod is currently linked to a spare iPhone 5s that is signed into a dummy iCloud account so that I can use features like reminders, etc. without having my messages accessible to everyone in the house. Plus, the phone never leaves the house so those features always work. So far no problem updating HomePod as iOS 12 works on iPhone 5s.

My question is - does the linked device have to be running the latest version of iOS for the HomePod to be able to update to its latest version? In other words, will I be able to continue using the iPhone 5s as the linked device and still update the HomePod later this year to its version of iOS 13, even if the iPhone itself cannot run iOS 13? I've read a lot of stuff and this is still not clear to me.

An iOS device is only used to initially setup the HomePod with settings, Wi-Fi, accounts, etc. Once done the HomePod is managed by a Home app. Also if you fully share your Home app data with another account then a different iOS device using a different account can manage your home accessories. Doesn’t directly answer your question, but there is no “link” like there is with an Apple Watch and iPhone.

 

[JHermz]

Right, the difference between the HomePod/iPhone or iPad link and the Apple Watch and iPhone link make me think that perhaps the answer to my original question is "no" and you can in fact run an audioOS that is more "advanced" than the iOS on the setup device. There is a bit more of a continuous link than just the setup, however, as the setup device has to be on the same wifi network for personal requests to work, etc. This is the part that makes me wonder whether that device will need to be running iOS 13 to update the HomePod to the new version later this year.

 

[firewire9000]

That’s a great question that I want to know the answer. Maybe it’s like with the Watch, you can’t upgrade it if your iPhone doesn’t support the latest iOS.

 

[dBeats]

It’s linked to the iCloud account, not to the phone. Your iCloud account settings determine which device you use to determine your location for find my friends, geofencing home automation and personal requests etc. This has nothing to do with the os level of your phone you happen to be transmitting your location from. Just use another device other than your dummy device to update the HomePod via home app, and you’ll be fine. I do believe to update to latest HomePod, you do need a device with the home app on the latest iOS version. But again, you should be able to do this. Worst case you sign you new device into your dummy, update, and switch back to your real account.

 

[JHermz]

It’s linked to the iCloud account, not to the phone. Your iCloud account settings determine which device you use to determine your location for find my friends, geofencing home automation and personal requests etc. This has nothing to do with the os level of your phone you happen to be transmitting your location from. Just use another device other than your dummy device to update the HomePod via home app, and you’ll be fine. I do believe to update to latest HomePod, you do need a device with the home app on the latest iOS version. But again, you should be able to do this. Worst case you sign you new device into your dummy, update, and switch back to your real account.

Belated thanks, this is very helpful.